Nets Tangle Up Heat In Overtime 107-103

Vince Carter scored 31 points, Richard Jefferson scored 29 more, and Jason Kidd had a double-double while scoring just 5 points, as the New Jersey Nets defeated the Miami Heat in overtime Thursday night 107-103. Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored a game high 41 points, but it was not enough to keep New Jersey at bay. The game was tightly contested all night as there were 16 ties, and the lead changed hands 17 times.

The two teams were deadlocked at the end of the first quarter at 21-21, but Miami pulled ahead to take a 44-41 lead into the locker room. Miami pushed the lead up to 70-66 at the end of the third quarter, but the Nets would not quit. New Jersey was down by 7 points with less than 5 minutes left in the game, but they kept plugging away, taking a 94-92 lead with 10 seconds left in the game as “Vinsanity” hit a trey. Udonis Haslem tied the game as he hit a jumper sending the contest into overtime. D-Wade started off the extra period stealing the ball and slamming it home, but that is when Miami lost it’s momentum as they were outscored 13-9, for the final tally.

Carter shot a less than impressive 9-23 from the floor, but went 3-5 from outside the arc, and 10-10 at the line for his 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal. Jefferson added 8 boards, 2 assists, to his 29 points, Malik Allen scored 18 points off the bench, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Josh Boone scored 11 points, 5 in the overtime, 8 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, and J-Kidd had just 5 points, but 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal. This is why J-Kidd is still the “Platinum Standard” for point guards in the NBA, because he is willing to eschew his own point total for the good of the team.

D-Wade shot a very respectable 15-23 from the floor, 1-1 from three point range, 10-12 from the line for his 41 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocked shots. Haslem had a double-double, 18 points, a game high 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 assist, Dorell Wright 13 points, 7 boards, 3 blocks,?2 assists. Shaquille O’Neal scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, 1 block, but fouled out. It is the fourth straight game the Miami center has fouled out in, it is the longest streak of his career, one I’m sure he hopes ends next game. New Jersey is now 11-15, while Miami is 7-19.